I've emailed the following to the BMA: 1)    Given the increase in fees, would the lack of tuition fee support affect your decision to study medicine? Such an increase would invariably affect my decision. To self-fund the first year of tuition fees at £3145 would have been achievable; however, an increase to £9000 means it is impossible for a recent graduate to genuinely self-fund without financial assistance from another source. For those of us who do not afford the luxury of parents who are in a position to offer such support, this firmly bars us from this career path. 2)    How does this make you feel? It of course makes me feel angry on a personal level. I have been working towards an application to GEM courses for some time, and to suddenly have such a phenomenal barrier erected is crushing. This feeling is soured even further in how this barrier is in no way reflective on my suitability for medicine – it has arisen from unnecessary decisions from government. This issue is entirely separate from the national, political pro- vs anti-cuts discourse: it is an issue of ideological priorities. The vast amounts of money that will be spent on Mr Lansley’s NHS reforms would more than cover the price of educating graduate-entry doctors; paradoxically, the driving ideology behind the reforms is in part to put more doctors on the front lines. Indeed, if one thinks purely in terms of efficiency, graduate entry doctors train in four years, opposed to five and additionally start contributing to the NHS after their first year, which makes them a more economically attractive option.             On a deeper level, this lack of funding makes me worry for the future of the NHS. In 2009, over 20% of people in medical training were over 21. It is highly likely that most of these people were graduates on Graduate Programmes (further supported by the correlation between this figure and the number of places on such programmes). It is deeply concerning that such a significant proportion of the medical workforce could be from such a non-representative cross section of society, especially in an institution which should be driven by ability and merit, regardless of ones financial situation.    3)    What will you do if support is not provided to cover your fees?   I shall undertake postgraduate study in the hope that upon completion there shall be a government in power who both upholds their manifestos and facilitates meritocracy.   4)    What do you believe the government should do about this?   I think these are particularly damaging cuts to the driving force of the NHS. I believe the government should realise that is not merely sufficient to pledge to ‘ring-fence the NHS budget’ but it is also necessary to practically implement sustainable quality on the ground through educating a representative workforce. The government should realise that the NHS is not a microcosm in which to simulate a social experiment. A strong government is characterised by its ability to admit mistake, and the coalition needs to admit this one swiftly and divert funds to ensure that ability is the only criteria in become a doctor.       Also if anyone is part of the Brent constituency, I'm thinking of organising a visit to our MP Sarah Teather (Minister of State for Education) who holds a weekly surgery, seeing as thought she has ignored my emails!   Finally, Rebs I would definitely be interested in attending on the 17th May
Posted by olivermccallion